Finally...A Date.

So this post is not a new idea for my library.  It is instead my moment of celebration for the date I become a librarian.  Yes, in my head I am already feeling that this is what I am but according to many schools that I want to work at, the title needs a great big paper with my name on it to back it up.  Well, the day that becomes my reality is....drum roll....MAY 9, 2013!!!!!  I am thrilled to finally have this recorded in my calendar.



Of course, before this can happen I have the rest of my classes to finish, not to mention a practicum/internship for the semester, two standardized tests, and a comprehensive exam. (Don't forget the partridge in a pear tree!)  But none of this matters because right now, I have an end in sight!

What does this end mean, you ask?  As of now, a world with no job, currently no major prospects, and a lifetime living with my parents and fighting about cleaning my room.  But that is not what I am thinking about right now.  Instead, I am dreaming of my ideal library, great students that I get to show the wonder of books, and fantastic ideas of how to pull it off thanks to a wonderful blog that holds them as my idea repository.  And I will find that library!...the next chapter begins MAY 9 (in case you missed it earlier).

Until that great evening, I will continue working on interesting and long school assignments, enjoy my few remaining days at my current job with kids and keep finding new ideas for this great library I will one day have.

Until next time...Happy Reading!! 

Book Reviews

So this tool that I found for use in a school library is a fantastic website!  Common Sense media is a website where parents write reviews for popular teen novels.  I had the opportunity to interview a middle school librarian recently and she mentioned that she doesn't buy books without consulting here first.

Common Sense Media book reviews.

I love the concept of this website because it moves from the back cover description into what the content is.  I have learned that it is very important to judge the culture of the community for which your students live in because it will show signs of what the reaction might be to more controversial young adult titles.  The parent reviews cover appropriate age as well as different content topics.

I love this idea just to be able to judge what is coming into the library before it is on the shelf or before a parent raises concerns.  While it might not cover all the material, it could be a great starting place for new books for the library collection.

I explored all different areas of this website and I love what it has to offer.  Not only does it offer fairly comprehensive reviews of current teen books, it explores older novels, children's books, as well as apps, movies, TV shows and more.  I can see using this to add different items to the library such as good movies that could be used in class or if the school where I work has them, apps for the ipad or other tablet device.

The middle school librarian that uses this site talks about how she has been able to limit books that invite parental concern by reviewing content through here first.  Of course, there is no replacement from reading the book and I don't know how every parent will react to each book but what a great way to have forewarning of language or violence, etc.

Now to just find that library.... :)

A reminder to make reminders...

So...I'm getting close to the end of my time in classes and I am starting to see so many great ideas for things to use in my library!  I really want a fun atmosphere, wherever I work and trying to find the right ideas when I don't even know what age I will be teaching is a definite adventure.  Right now, in my classes, I do a lot of planning for programs and budgets and collections that I haven't had the chance to put into practice yet.  However, all this planning is leading me to great ideas I don't want to forget when I move to my own library.

For today, I was exploring a classroom management blog and for many school librarians, I'm sure you know, classroom management will definitely apply even inside the land of books.  This idea was for a cut out I found as a freebie from this great blog :Finding JOY in 6th Grade.  The actual link to the cut out is a free print out with different messages from googledocs.  Googledoc Bloghop Freebie.

The grand idea I have with this cut out is to have stacks and stacks and to help students remember to return checked out materials.  It is more of a reminder note and once typed or written could be delivered to teachers to pass out.  I know that many schools have such a high number of students that this would be difficult each day or week to do but I would like to try it.

I think the idea of an in hand reminder for book return is a great tool.  I know some libraries generate income from book fines and I'm sure there are students that can have every reminder possible and still forget but its worth a shot. 

Now to get this to work, all I need is a reminder to write reminders. :)

Till next time....keep reading! :)